Illuminating device.



A. J. HORNER.

ILLUMINATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.3,1910..

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

W/T/VESSLS:

COLUMBIA PLANOCIRAPH COHWASHXNCITON, B. c.

QFFICE.

ALLAN J. HORNER, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

ILLUMINATING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

Application filed December 3, 1910. Serial No. 595,338.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLAN J. HORNER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Ouyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a-new and useful Improvement in Illuminating Devices, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates in general to illuminating devices and has particular regard for the provision of a receptacle which may be interiorly illuminated whenever desired.

One use of such a receptacle is as a Watch container, by means of which the dial of the watch may be illuminated.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing: Figure 1 is a plan of a device embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof on the line A-A in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a plan of a member entering into'the construction of said device:

The receptacle 1 that contains, or houses, the several parts of the device, may be of any shape, but I have illustrated it as being approximately rectangular and provided in its top with a hinged transparent cover 6 and with a hinged bottom 2, which bottom will be formed of, or lined with, electric-conductive material. The receptacle itself may be conveniently fashioned out of stamped sheet metal, although celluloid or other suitable material may be substituted if desired. Within the receptacle thus provided is disposed a sectional lining, the sections 3 of which are separable, so that they may be readily removed from or placed in the receptacle. The sections I prefer to make of molded material as for example gutta percha, which is at the same time an insulator; but'they may be made of wooden blocks, either plain, or covered with fabric on their exposed faces.

A plate 4, formed of conducting material is adapted to be removably held on the bottom 2 of the receptacle, two or more battery cells 5 being secured to, and having one pole of each electrically connected with, said plate; while the two adjacent sections 3 of the lining of the receptacle are recessed to receive such cells, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. A lamp 7 is removably held within the receptacle l and extends through the insulation. One lamp terminal is connected with the bottom 2 of conducting material and this connection may be made in any desired way, but it will preferably be made by having one of the lamp terminals contact with a side wall of the receptacle, when the latter is formed of conducting material, since the latter, being in contact with the plate 4: carrying the cells, constitutes in effect a ground for the return current. The other lamp terminal will be connected in suitable manner with a spring contact 8 provided with a push button 9 which extends exteriorly of the receptacle 1 and is adapted to connect such second lamp terminal with the other pole of the battery cells. The latter, it will, of course, be understood are connected by a suitably insulated conductor 10 (Fig. 3) forming part of the in terchangeable battery equipment.

The manner of using my improved device should be clear. Assuming the parts to be assembled, a watch may be placed within the receptacle with its face presented in inclined position to the lamp 7 Accordingly when the lamp circuit is completed, by pressing upon the push button, the dial of the watch is illuminated and may be observed through the glass cover. When a battery becomes exhausted, it is only necessary to open the hinged bot-tom and remove the plate which carries the cells and a new plate with new cells may then be readily inserted. Furthermore, the lining sections 3, although desirable in order to separate the battery and plate from the interior of the receptacle, may be readily removed by merely opening the bottom and removing the plate whereupon all of the separate sections may be removed, thus providing ample room for even the largest time-piece; or lining blocks especially adapted to receive watches of various sizes may be interchangeably inserted.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I connecting the second lamp terminal in the circuit from said battery.

2. In a device'of the character described, the combination of an inclosure formed with a metallic bottom; a metallic plate removably held in the inclosure and contacting with said bottom; a battery secured to and connected with said plate; a lamp within the inclosure, one terminal of the lamp being connected with said bottom; and means for connecting the second lamp terminal in the circuit from said battery.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of an inclosure formed with a metallic bottom, said bottom being hinged to said inclosure; a metallic plate removably held in the inclosure and contacting with said bottom; a battery secured to and connected with said plate; a lamp within the inclosure, one terminal of the lamp being connected with said bottom; a spring contact connected with the second lamp terminal and adapted to be connected with said battery; and a push-botton connected with said contact and extending outside of the inclosure.

4:. In a device of the character described, the combination of an inclosure formed with a metallic bottom, said bottom being hinged to said inclosure; a metallic plate removably held in the inclosure and contacting with said bottom; a battery secured to and connected with said plate; a lamp within the inclosure, one terminal of the lamp being connected with said bottom; a spring con tact connected with the second lamp terminal and adapted to be connected with said battery; a push-button connected with said contact and extending outside of the inclosure; and a lining of insulating material within the inclosure,

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of an inclosure formed with a metallic bottom, said bottom being hinged to said inclosure; a metallic plate removably held in the inclosur'e and contacting with said bottom; a battery secured to and connected with said plate; a lamp within the inclosure, one terminal of the lamp being connected with said bottom; a spring contact connected with the second lamp terminal and adapted to be connected with said battery; a push-button connected with said contact and extending out-side of the inclosure and a lining of insulating material within the inclosure, said lining being constructed in sections removable from the inclosure.

Signed by me this 1st day of November,

ALLAN J. HORNER, Attested by- ANNA L. GILL, JNo. F. OBERLIN.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

